Murphy endorses Bernie Sanders’ son for Congress

Gov. Phil Murphy has endorsed Levi Sanders, the son of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, for the Democratic nomination for Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st district.

Murphy made a big deal out of an endorsement from Levi Sanders last winter when he was seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.  Murphy needed Sanders to vouch for his progressive credentials in a primary against John Wisniewski, the New Jersey chairman of the Sanders for President campaign – and to help Murphy distance himself from his old Goldman Sachs ties.  Levi Sanders made several trips to New Jersey – maybe five or six – to campaign for Murphy.  He drew decent crowds, and Murphy tweeted out the details with the hashtag #philandlevi.

“Levi has dedicated nearly two decades of his career in legal services ensuring his clients’ needs are met while navigating difficult bureaucracies,” Murphy said. “As Congressman, I know that Levi will always prioritize the people of New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District over the failed special interest politics of Washington. I am proud to endorse him for Congress.”

Murphy says he and Sanders bonded over the idea of a public bank and praised his support to “rebuild our middle class, like $15 minimum wage, respect for workers and organized labor, an affordable college education, equal pay for equal work, reforming our broken criminal justice system, and building an economy that works for the middle class.”

“When it comes to having the vision, determination, and skill to get groundbreaking progressive legislation signed into law, Governor Murphy is in a class of his own,” Sanders said.  “We have challenging years ahead of us, and we’ll need powerful, fearless elected leaders to carry us through. I am honored to have his endorsement and eager to begin working together to build a more prosperous, progressive, and sustainable future for all Americans.”

Sanders is seeking the open seat of Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, who is not seeking re-election in an enormously competitive congressional district that has attracted a large field of candidates on both sides.   The primary is in September.

This is Murphy’s first out of state endorsement, and it comes in the state that holds the first presidential primary.